It’s that beautiful time of year once again. With the Annual General Meeting on the horizon on March 30th (official announcement coming soon), we invite community members and members of the public to put your names forward for a spot on the Santropol Roulant Board of Directors.
Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to your community? Do you feel passionate about a greener, more inclusive and well-fed future? Do you believe your professional experience or personal perspective would be invaluable in the context of our board?
Five of nine seats are open for election, so we encourage you to read on or to share this post with folks in your networks!
WHAT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
The Board of Directors is a team of volunteers who are legally responsible for the direction of Santropol Roulant. While the staff team handles the daily operations, the Board oversees the big-picture, such as strategic planning, and fiscal responsibilities and decisions, including approving the budget. Our Board operates in a highly collaborative way, working closely with Roulant staff. Want to learn more? Read this.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT MY CANDIDACY TO THE BOARD?
You can nominate yourself as a candidate to the board if you:
- Are 18 years or older;
- Are able to serve a 2-year term (non negotiable) and make the necessary time commitment;
- Possess a functional comprehension of both French and English;
- Possess the skills and expertise needed to address this year’s Board priorities;
- Possess a strong alignment with and commitment to Santropol Roulant’s mission.
Whether you’re a new or longtime friend of the Roulant, we would love to receive your application for a position on the Board of Directors!
KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
The board welcomes and thrives on a variety of skills, profiles, perspectives and demographic backgrounds. Given its governance responsibilities and current composition, the board has identified the following experiences as particularly valuable for the coming years:
- Professional experience with finances and budgeting (of particular interest: chartered professional accountant certification)
- Leadership experience in agricultural projects (of particular interest: agricultural education, farm management)
- Human resources experience (of particular interest: policies, labour laws, recruitment)
- Experience working in or with provincial health and social services (of particular interest: social work, work with unhoused populations, administration)
- Experience managing food services (of particular interest: kitchen management, procurement, operations)
Candidates are not expected to cover more than one of the above areas. Experience in other relevant areas is welcome. Experience with Santropol Roulant, the non-profit sector, and board of directors are a plus, but not required.
The board is intended to represent the diverse community of the Roulant, from volunteers to Meals-on-Wheels clients, community partners to donors, neighbours and others familiar with our fields of impact across Montreal.
We encourage all to apply. If you would like to explore whether your profile and availabilities are aligned with the needs and role of the Board, or for more information, feel free to email our Executive Director Pier, or call him at 514-284-9335.
WHAT MAKES A STRONG BOARD?
Alignment: Board members are an important part of the team. As the holders of the mission, it is vital that directors understand our work, culture and aspirations.
Diversity: Diversity of thought and lived experience is at the heart of the Roulant. In order to best support the Roulant, our Board needs to represent our community by expressing its rich tapestry of voices. People of all ethnicities, religions, gender identities, gender expressions and abilities are encouraged to apply and share their strengths.
Read more about Safer Spaces at the Roulant
Read our Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Mission and Vision Statements
Commitment: The Board plays a big role in the Santropol Roulant community, and it takes a sizable time commitment to make this happen. Board members are expected to attend one meeting per month, engage in additional committees and working groups, attend events, and have a visible presence in our organization with staff, clients, and volunteers. This translates to about 10 hours per month, depending on ongoing projects and committee needs.
Stability: Like any team, it takes time to find the best ways to form a productive team. This is why it’s important for Board members to honour their two-year commitment.
If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, make sure to apply by Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 at 8am.
Sitting on the Board is just one of many ways to get involved in the Roulant. If you are interested in deepening your connection with the community but feel that the board isn’t quite right for you, check out how you can support our organization through volunteering or becoming a donor!